Need to invest early in phase 2 of Long Thanh Airport Project

To meet the needs of passenger transportation as well as avoid the impact of the construction process on the exploitation of Long Thanh International Airport (airport) phase 1, Vietnam Airports Corporation (ACV) recommends early investment in phase 2 of the project.

The telescopic tube system at Long Thanh Airport's passenger terminal phase 1 is under construction and installation. Photo: Pham Tung

Reaching capacity of 20 million passengers in 2026

The Long Thanh Airport Construction Investment Project Phase 1 was approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1777/QD-TTg dated November 11, 2020. Accordingly, Long Thanh Airport is invested in construction to reach level 4F according to the classification of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), is an important international airport of the country, aiming to become one of the international aviation transit centers of the region.

In phase 1, Long Thanh Airport will invest in building 1 runway, 1 passenger terminal with a designed capacity of 25 million passengers, cargo terminals with a total capacity of 1.2 million tons of cargo per year and other auxiliary items.

In March 2025, in response to ACV's proposal, the Prime Minister approved the adjustment of the Long Thanh Airport Project Phase 1. In particular, the adjustment and addition of construction of an additional runway were approved in Phase 1 of the project.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Viet, Deputy General Director of ACV said: According to the original plan, Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 would be completed and put into operation in 2026. However, the Prime Minister later requested to shorten the construction time, basically complete the project in 2026, and put into commercial operation in the first half of 2026. In response to the Prime Minister's request, ACV has recently worked with contractors and equipment suppliers to adjust the progress of the bidding packages of Component 3 Project, Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 Project.

Regarding the progress of the bidding packages, according to ACV, the bidding packages of the project are basically following the adjusted schedule. “By December 19, 2025, the project will complete the construction part. On December 19, 2025, the first technical flight from Noi Bai Airport will land at Long Thanh Airport,” said Mr. Nguyen Tien Viet.

According to Mr. Nguyen Tien Viet, in 2025, Tan Son Nhat Airport will reach an output of 18 million international passengers. "It is forecasted that in the first half of 2026, when Long Thanh Airport phase 1 is put into commercial operation, the number of international passengers will reach 20 million," Mr. Nguyen Tien Viet added.

According to ACV, the Prime Minister has directed the unit to research and implement investment in the construction of a third runway for Long Thanh Airport.

Do phase 2 early to avoid affecting exploitation

According to ACV leaders, the passenger terminal of Long Thanh Airport phase 1 has a designed capacity of 25 million passengers per year. When Long Thanh Airport phase 1 is put into operation, the number of international passengers is forecast to reach 20 million per year. Therefore, phase 2 of the Long Thanh Airport project needs to be invested in immediately after phase 1 of the project is put into operation. Accordingly, it is necessary to invest in building an additional passenger terminal and a third runway to meet the demand.

During the project inspection on August 20, Party Central Committee member and Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh assessed that the Long Thanh Airport Phase 1 project has made clear progress. At the same time, he requested relevant units to make more efforts to achieve the goal of basically completing the project by the end of 2025.

To serve the exploitation of Long Thanh Airport phase 1 in the first half of 2026, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh requested: Dong Nai Province and related units must soon complete connecting routes. Because currently, traffic congestion often occurs, especially on National Highway 51 and the Ho Chi Minh City - Long Thanh - Dau Giay Expressway. "When Long Thanh Airport comes into operation, if it is not handled promptly, traffic will be more severely affected" - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh emphasized.

Regarding the proposal to immediately implement phase 2 of the Long Thanh Airport Project, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh suggested that ACV, in coordination with relevant agencies, report to the National Assembly for consideration and immediate implementation to avoid the situation where when phase 1 is put into operation, the construction of the following phase packages will affect the airport's operation. "Some items of the next phase need to be invested in immediately to avoid the impact of construction and dust emissions affecting the operation of Long Thanh Airport phase 1" - Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Vu Hong Thanh suggested.

Pham Tung

Source: https://baodongnai.com.vn/kinh-te/202508/can-dau-tu-som-giai-doan-2-du-an-san-bay-long-thanh-f3518e3/